VIII.
GLADIOLUS CONCOLOR
Self-coloured Gladiolus.
ORDO NATURALIS
Irides. Juss. Gen. p. 57.
Sect. 3 Flores spicati, sub pericarpio bracteis duabus.
Bracteæ spathaceæ, plus minus convolutæ, totæ vegetæ. Corollæ Tubus sensim parum latior: Limbus varie irregularis, ventre curvo brevissimo infundibuliformi. Antheræ secundæ. Stigmata simplicia, obcuneata. Pericarpium subovale. Semina plus minus alata, membranâ interdum prorsus deficiente. Radix tubur quotannis periens, novo pluribusve ratione numeri gemmarum super vetustum dum foliatur enatis, sphæricum tunicis reticulatis stupaceisve, basi fibras exserens. Caulis firmus, rarissime decompositus. Folia ensata, vel cruciatim 4-angula. Quæ cum Iridēis veris sub pericarpio bracteâ destitutis nunc militant genera, forsan posthac nomine Crocēarum ob diversam inflorescantiam separanda; nondum vero satis intelligo Galaxiam. Gladiolus, in serie naturali, ordiendo a G. Namaquensi Bot. Mag. f. 592. Antholyzas proxime sequitur, omnes facile distinguendas ventre corollæ longiore compresso: ad has itaque G. Watsonium Bot. Mag. f. 450, 649, et G. Quadrangulum Bot. Mag. f. 567. refero
** Tristi affines, foliis sæpius margine dilatato 4—angulis.
G. foliis 4-angulis: corollæ limbo tubo plus quam 2-plo longiore, laciniis obovato-lanceolatis acuminulatis, inferioribus vix approximatis; antheris longis, post anthesin spiralibus.
Sponte nascentem in Promontorio Cap, legit Jac. Mulder.
Floret apud nos Maio.
This species was communicated by the Right Hon. Charles Greville, but has long been in our gardens, for I cultivated it at Chapel Allerton in the year 1790. It differs from G. Tristi Linn. in the shape of the laciniæ of the corolla, and from G. Recurvus, Bot. Mag. f. 578, in having them acuminated. I have not observed the Antheræ become spiral after the pollen is discharged in any other species, but it may possibly be the case, and if so the above specific character must be altered. The whole flower is of one self colour if I may be allowed to use the language of a Florist.
REFERENCES TO THE PLATE.
- Part of the Corolla spread open, shewing the insertion of the Filaments.
- The Leaf cut transversely.
